Gardens of the Righteous — Page 243
RIYADH AS-SALIHIN 243 granted them My protection against that from which they seek protection. They say: Lord, there is among them one, So and So, a sinful creature who only passed by and sat down among them. He says: Him also have I forgiven. They are a company whose associate shall not be frustrated. 1453. Abu Sa'id Khudri and Abu Hurairah relate that the Holy Prophet said: When a company foregathers for the remembrance of Allah its members are surrounded by angels and are covered by mercy, and comfort descends upon them and Allah makes mention of them to those around Him (Muslim). 1454. Harith ibn Auf relates that while the Holy Prophet was seated in the mosque surrounded by people, three men came in. While two of them approached him and the third turned away, of the two, one perceived an opening between those who were seated and took his seat there and the other sat down behind those who were seated. When the Holy Prophet finished his talk, he said: I shall tell you about these three. One of them sought refuge with Allah and Allah gave him shelter. The second felt shy and Allah forbore from him. . The third turned away and Allah turned away from him (Bokhari and Muslim). 1455. Abu Sa'id Khudri relates that Mu'awiah came into the mosque and saw a company seated therein. He asked them: What causes you to be seated here? They answered: We are gathered for the remembrance of Allah. He inquired: Do you call Allah to witness that that is your only purpose? They answered: That is so. He told them: I did not put you on oath out of any suspicion. No one situated like me vis-a-vis the Holy Prophet has narrated so little about him. The Holy Prophet on one occasion came upon a company of his companions and inquired: What has brought you together? They answered: We are seated together remembering Allah and praising Him for having guided us to Islam and having conferred this favour upon us. He inquired: Do you call. Allah to witness that that is your only purpose? They answered: Allah is our witness that that is our only purpose. He said: I did not put you on oath out of any suspicion, but Gabriel came to me and told me that Allah takes pride in you among the angels. (Muslim). 247. . On Remembrance of Allah Morn and Eve. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 323. Remember thy Lord in thy mind with humility and fear, in low tones morning and evening, and be not neglectful (7. 206). 324. And glorify thy Lord with His Praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting (20. 131). 325. And glorify thy Lord with His praise morning and evening (40. 56).